Claremont Win a Scrap

Subiaco have lost their sixth game in a row after going down to Claremont by 19-points in wet and muddy conditions at Medibank Stadium.

This was a must win game for the Lions if they wanted to remain in contention for the 2013 finals campaign.

Ian Richardson put the final nail in the coffin when his goal in the final minute of the game ensured the Tigers would defeat the Lions 7.16 (58) to 5.9 (39).

Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and George Hampson had 34 and 26 possessions respectively for Subiaco while Captain Aiden Parker was solid in defence.

For Claremont Luke Blackwell had 31 disposals and Ian Richardson had 23 possessions and kicked two goals.

In a scrappy contest the Tigers kicked the only two goals of the first quarter to establish a 13-point lead at the end of the first break.

The Lions fought back in the second term kicking three goals to Claremont’s two to close the margin to six-points at half time.

The Tigers had several chances to extend the lead in the third quarter and put the game beyond doubt but their inaccuracy in front of goals cost them. Claremont kicked two goals seven behinds for the term while Subiaco were only able to kick one goal, courtesy of Brad Stevenson.

Both sides were kicking points at the start of the last quarter before Ray Daniels was able to slot through a goal for the Lions. This had Subiaco only 14-points behind and the momentum started to shift in their favour.

The Lions failed to make their chances count though and kicked the next three behinds before Richardson sealed the game for the Tigers.

First Quarter

Both teams were scrappy early on with each side doing anything they could to get the ball forward due to the conditions of the game.

Claremont managed to kick two consecutive goals in the sixth and seventh minute through Matt Davies and Chad Jones to give them an early lead. This ended up being the only goals kicked for the quarter and gave the Tigers a 13-point lead at the first break.

Claremont captain Blackwell and teammate Ryan Neates each had seven disposals for the Tigers while Hampson also had seven for Subiaco.

Second Quarter

Claremont, like they did in the first kicked the first goal of the quarter through ruckman Mitch Andrews. This had the Tigers up by 19-points.

Subiaco started to work their way into the contest and got rewarded when Rhys Waters kicked the Lions first goal of the game at the seven minute mark. When Claremont’s Richard Cronin was penalised for a deliberate out of bounds, Subiaco played on quickly and found Rhett Kerr in the goal square and he strolled in and kicked the Lions second of the match.

Two minutes later Subiaco had their third goal when Charles Le Fanu kicked a brilliant goal from 45 minutes out. That goal had the Lions in front, albeit by one-point.

Subiaco’s lead didn’t last long though when the Tigers went forward from the restart and immediately got the reply, courtesy of a left foot snap from Richardson.

At half time we saw Claremont 6-points ahead with Blackwell (15 possessions), Andrew Foster (12) and Richardson (12) leading the way for the Tigers.

For the Lions Hampson had 13 disposals, Kayler-Thomson (12) and Waters (10)

Third Quarter

Both teams were showing that the weather conditions were having an effect early in the third quarter with players dropping easy marks and not being able to hit targets by foot.

The Claremont fans had something to cheer about when nine minutes into the quarter, Jones spun around inside his own forward 50 and kicked his second goal of the game.

Subiaco responded quickly when Stevenson just managed to get his kick away and the ball scrapped through for a goal.

From the restart the Tigers went forward and Jack Bradshaw took a mark 70 metres out. Scott Worthington made contact with Bradshaw after he took the mark and a fifty metre penalty was awarded. Bradshaw made no mistake and kicked the goal to give Claremont a 13-point lead.

The Tigers had several opportunities to extend their lead but kicked six straight behinds instead. This had Claremont up by 19-points at three quarter time.

Blackwell had 24 possessions for the Tigers, while Richardson had 20 disposals and Jake Murphy had 13.

For the Lions Kayler-Thomson had 25 possessions, Hampson had 20 and Aiden Parker had 12.

Fourth Quarter

Both teams kicked two-points each in the opening 16 minutes of the last quarter. This was until Ray Daniels kicked a beautiful goal and had Subiaco back within 14-points.

The Lions continued to push forward but could only kick three behinds.

When Richardson kicked his second goal of the game, the margin was 18-points in favour of the Tigers and the game was all but over.

Kayler-Thomson had 34 disposals for Subiaco and was assisted by Hampson who had 26.

For Claremont, Blackwell had 31 possessions, Richardson had 23 and two goals and Foster had 21.